DAY CARE DILEMMA: Do your homework when making child care choices

Finding the right day care at the right price can be a challenge for parents. But by doing some research and asking the right questions, families can find a good child care fit.

Finding the right day care at the right price can be a challenge for parents. But by doing some research and asking the right questions, families can find a good child care fit.

Safety: Knowing your child will be safe in someone else’s care is of paramount concern to any parent. It’s important to check out day care centers you’re considering ahead of time, look around the facility and ask questions.

What safety measures are in place? Are there security devices on the doors? Can you get background information on the staff or on the center’s license to provide care?

Check online to find other important information on the provider you’re considering and ask parents who have children already enrolled in the program about their experience and if they have any concerns.

child care costs: In reviewing child care choices, you'll find costs can be high. Depending on where you live and the program you select, day care tuitions can be a drain financially. Add in supply fees (at some locations), uniform requirements (at others), food/snack or other type of meal requirements, and you may wonder how you'll be able to afford it. Weekly costs depend on the age of the child, setting and situation, and can range from $75 to $300 or more per week. Before signing up, know your budget and what value and benefit your child will receive from the care selected.

Finding a space: Isn't it ironic? You've researched centers, interviewed day care providers and other parents and made a choice, only to learn there is not a space available for your child.

Keep in mind that this is actually a good thing (although it may not feel like it right now). You want a provider that maintains strict ratios or age spreads. Some of the care providers or programs with the best reputations often have the longest waiting lists. A few even allow parents to sign up infants as soon as they are born so they will be "in" by the time they reach a certain age.

So if you're thinking about child care, be ready to plan ahead and have a few options. If there is no room at your top pick, get on the waiting list, but then move onto that second choice. Who knows? You may like your second choice even better and want to stay put when/if your child's name finally comes up for an available opening.

Flexible hours: child care is easiest to find during the traditional work hours of 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It’s more challenging to find day care options for extended work day hours of 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and downright difficult for evening hours or during weekends. Be prepared to either alter your work schedule or fill in those coverage gaps with other child care options — including having family members help out or hiring a sitter. After all, most day care centers’ staff and in-home providers work Monday through Friday, because they also have families and lives of their own.

Have a back-up plan: Of course, that’s easier said than done, but the consequence of not having a backup child care plan is that you may find yourself without day care on the very day you’re making the big presentation at work. It is good to at least have your child pre-registered on a drop-in or emergency basis at another day care center. Then, if your in-home provider has the stomach flu or your regular day care center is closed for professional training, you won’t miss the big meeting and wreck your shot at that promotion.

Review immunization and medical records: Are your child's immunizations up-to-date? Some caregivers will not allow child care services to begin until all immunizations are current, forms completed, and a physical within the last year conducted. Others may be lenient and allow a "probationary" period. Rather than trying to schedule a last-minute check-up, look at the center’s registration requirements and get anything lacking completed ahead of time.

Readying your child: If your child is old enough to reason with, now is a good time to start discussing what exciting plans or activities are in his or her future with child care services. Does the start of the day care program mean earlier wakeup times or other changes in morning routines? Consider organization options such as picking breakfast the night before and laying out clothing choices to make for a less hectic start to the day.